"Tony Wise asked me to design a good trail system at Telemark. I spent
14 days there and laid out trails similar to the Vasalopet trails in
Sweden. Later, Marty Hall added more hills. From the point of view of
competitive skiers, it is a very good course."

~ Sven Wiik, Nordic guru, Steamboat Springs, Colorado

"The Birkie has been a factor in my life since the first time I skied
the trail in 1976. My philosophy is to do whatever we can do to foster
participation in the overall event. I want more people on the snow and
enjoying the weekend."

~ Ned Zuelsdorff, Executive Director, Cable, WI

"On my 63rd Birthday (Feb. 11th) I made my "Birkie Fever" goal to do
the race in under four hours. I was running behind my goal for most of
the race. While crossing Duffy Road a cheering crowd of younsters gave
me an adrenalin boost to kick my stide into overdrive. My finish time
was 3:59:59. Thanks kids!

What I appreciate most of all is how the Birkie Staff does not quit
after the race. They still have a grooming priority following the race
and it makes for many hours and days of great grooming."

~ Carl Kozak, Hayward, WI

I would like to thank all the organizers and volunteers who provide a fun and motivating experience.

~Ken Hill Completed 6 Marathons in his 60th Year.

Praise for 2008 Events!

"It was like skiing on Heaven's Floor."

"Better than Christmas. I will be skiing the Birkie every year I'm
alive on Earth. It's that special. Thanks for another spectacular
year."

"To all of the you who make the American Birkebeiner your life. I thank you."

"Every year I marvel at the manner in which details are prepared and
the volunteers so willing to help. Great stuff, always a highlight of
the year for me."

"I just finished my first Birkie and loved it. You guys are amazing. I'm hooked. I'll be back next year."

"I would like to thank all the organizers and volunteers who provide a fun and motivating experience."

"It is just amazing how each year, something is always improved, since every year I think it is just perfect."

"I have grown to consider the Birkebeiner a lifestyle as opposed to a
race, so there's no urge to let it go at the milestone of registering
for my 20th race."

"What I appreciate most of all are the Birkie Staff efforts and how they don't quit after the race. They still have a grooming priority and it really makes for many hours and days of great skiing. Thanks guys."

"I want to compliment the volunteers who staffed the course for their bright moods and helpfulness. I also want to thank the folks who drove the buses and managed the traffic. Even the snowmobilers who add a little spice to the event. It seems that every year those things are just the best. This year you had snow and you used it perfectly."

"One of the most wonderful moments while skiing my first Kortelopet was skiing up the big hill to the amazing rhythm of Anishinabeg drummers and singers. What an outpouring of power and warmth! Please extend my thanks to those musicians if you know who they are."

Greetings from the Birkie®!

Hi Skiers and Friends!

Only a few days to the 2009 Birkie and we're ready! I had the chance to ski the northern part of the trail on Sunday and experienced the fantastic conditions others were reporting.

Then there's the Lake that we've been worrying about. Bill Pierce, our Trail Chief has been working on it and said the Lake would be skiable. I didn't believe him until I skied across it today. It will be ready on Saturday for a full Birkie and a Main Street finish!

More than 7,000 of you are already registered making this the 2nd largest event ever already with a few more days remaining for registration. The greatest cross-country ski event in North American is waiting for you. Get here early and enjoy it. See you soon.

HAYWARD, Wis., Feb. 17, 2009 - With just 4 days til the 36th anniversary American Birkebeiner in Cable and Hayward, Wis., Executive Director Ned Zuelsdorff today announced Birkie skiers will ski a full race with finish on Main Street, Hayward.

"In preparation of a Main Street finish we have a crew who will be working on the route across Lake Hayward on Wednesday," said Zuelsdorff. "We anticipate that skiers will have very good trail conditions over their final kilometers of the race."

The Barnebirkie is scheduled to start on Lake Hayward and finish on Main Street in Hayward.

"The youngest Barnebirkie skiers, skiing the one kilometer event will start right behind Marketplace Foods and ski up Main Street to the finish line," said Zuelsdorff. "Currently we are planning to have all other Barnie skiers start at the Lake Hayward beach and ski a 2-2.5K event into Hayward's Main Street. There will not be a 5K event this year."

"We have made changes to the Barnebirkie because temperatures on Thursday are predicted to be quite cold and we are concerned about the wind chill for our youngest skiers," said Zuelsdorff. "We will monitor the weather and make final announcements at Barnie bib pick-up on Thursday morning."

"If the temperatures and the wind chill are too cold...Continue reading, click here.

BarnebirkieRace Registration and Bib Pick-up for the Barnebirkie is at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hayward from 8:30 a.m. to Noon on Thursday, February 19th. The church is located on Dakota Avenue between 4th and 5th Streets. Race Start is at 12:30 p.m. For more information click here. Junior BirkieThe Junior Birkie starts at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20th at Telemark Resort. Race Day Registration, Bib Pick-up and Start Area are all located at the Stadium Area behind Telemark Resort. Look for the big tent. For more information click here.5K/10K Family Fun EventRace Day Registration for the 5K/10K Family Fun Event is on Friday, February 20th from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at Telemark Resort. The race will start at 2:15 p.m. at Telemark Resort near the Hytte. For more information click here. Schedule of Events Click here to view a complete Schedule of Events.

Traffic Plans for the 2009 Birkie

By Shellie Milford, Director of Race Operations

Local law
enforcement and race officials for the American Birkebeiner have
announced traffic plans for the upcoming 2009 American Birkebeiner
Thursday, Feb. 19 and Saturday, Feb. 21.Continue reading, click here.

2009 Birkie Skiers for Cures

Our 2009 Birkie Skiers for Cures fundraising effort benefiting the National MS Society is going strong.It is not too late to support this great cause.

Stop by the National MS Society booth on Thursday or Friday and make a contribution or donate $25 and receive this great pin designed by Kay Lum of Kay Lum Design.

All skiers and others raising funds can turn in their contributions to the National MS Society Booth at the Expo on Thursday and Friday.

Telemark Resort will not charge ski trail fees on Thursday and Friday of Race Week. This is a perfect opportunity for you to ski and enjoy their trails.

Other Area Trails

North End Trails - One 12.5K loop with two shorter cutoffs, skating and classical, and an 8KLocated 2 miles south of Cable on Randysek Rd.

Seeley Ski Trails - 5-7.5K loops/Skating and Classic Located 1/2 mile east of Seeley on Cty. Hwy. OO and then go to Old Hwy. OO

Race Week Grooming & Trail Closures

The Grooming Crew is beginning to groom for the race and sections of the trail will start to be closed. Some parts of the Trail will remain open until Thursday night and then the whole system will close for final touches before Saturday morning.

As always, the section from the Start to McNaught Road is closed until race day! Please respect the Trail closures and signs as they begin to happen. We will keep you posted daily as to the progress and closures.

The last thing you want to worry about on Race Day is busing and
parking. It
is very important that you allow plenty of time to drive, park and then
bus to Telemark where you will have a 500 yard walk to the start line.

Spectators will be allowed to use the Birkie buses if there is room. We have to make sure we get skiers to where they need to be, and therefore they are our priority.

Please take a numberWear your number high on your chest on your outermost layer of clothing. We like attentionSmile, yell or wave at our photographers. CelebrateAs you finish, raise your hands in the air. Do a shot after you raceVisit our candid photo locations after you finish and have your finisher photo taken.www.asiphoto.com

CXC On-Snow Classic and Skate Skiing Clinics

Two on-snow clinics will be held on Friday at Telemark. A skate clinic and a separate classic clinic will be held from 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. The clinics are being presented by Central Cross Country Skiing (CXC) and are limited to 30 participants. Get more information and sign up early at the CXC booth at the Skier Expo in the Telemark Auditorium.

The Birkie in Iraq

While Birkie skiers are going to sleep on Friday, February 20, a very different Birkebeiner will be starting more than 5,000 miles away in Iraq. Chaplain Kenath Harris and Sergeant John Kurtz will ski the Birkie on roller skis on a stretch of pavement at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. We wish them well and can't wait for them to return so they can ski the event on snow again.

Event Highlights

Birkie Celebration Tent The large heated tent will be located in Hayward at the Birkie finish. Head for the big tent after changing in the adjacent heated "changing tent". There will be tables and chairs, music, race results and special "Birkie Beers" (for purchase) and other beverages.

Food, including brats, burgers, and chili will be available for purchase in the tent. The beer is being provided by Northwoods Brewery, Eau Claire and Chetek, and the Capital Brewery, Middleton, WI. The food will be sold by the Hayward Lions, Fishing Has No Boundaries, and Habitat for Humanity groups of Hayward. Don't forget to pack your ID and a few dollars in your ski bag so that you can partake and enjoy your post-race celebration with your friends. Tent City is brought to you courtesy of Peoples Bank of Wisconsin.Awards Ceremony and Race Day Slide Shows, Saturday Night - Feb. 21st, 5:30 p.m.The award ceremony will be held at Telemark Resort the evening of race day. A 2009 race day slideshow will be presented. Look for yourself and your friends.

The Award ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Overall winners of the Birkie and Kortelopet, skate and classic races will be recognized. Team competition winners will also be recognized. Bjorn Daehlie will be present to make awards to Birkie Skiers for Cures fundraisers including an autographed Current Designs kayak and his Fischer race day skis. This is your chance to see the most accomplished cross-country skier in history.

Many great door prizes, including skis and equipment, will be given away at the Awards Ceremony. You must be present to win these prizes.

Age class awards will be available for pick-up at the Vet Center, Main St. in Hayward from on Saturday, 6-9:00 p.m. and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Sunday, as well as in the theatre at Telemark from 6-9:00 p.m. on race day. Age Class awards must be requested and will be mailed for a fee of $8 to skiers within the Continental U.S.
Payment by credit card or check made payable to the ABSF should
accompany the request which can be made to birkie@birkie.com or by phone at 715-634-5025. Race ResultsHardcopy race results will be available for viewing during race day at the following locations;

In the Kortelopet finish area tent at Telemark

In the "Birkie Celebration Tent" adjacent to the Main Street course near the finish line in Hayward

Outside the Birkie office at the East end of Main Street near the Marketplace Grocery

Hardcopy results will also be posted in the theatre at Telemark beginning at 5 p.m. on race day.

Skier Certificates of CompletionBirkie and Kortelopet skiers will be able to download their personal Certificate of Completion for these races at www.birkie.com.
The certificates will identify you and the event you completed and
provide a OO split time (for Birkie skiers only), ski pace and your
division place. The certificates are in color and suitable for framing.
Certificates will be mailed to first time Birkie and Kortelopet
finishers mid-March. Johnson Bank Prince HaakonThis year's Prince Haakon race will be an 8K event starting at Hatchery Park and finishing on Hayward's Main Street. All skiers must take a bus to the start at Hatchery Park between 12:15-12:45 p.m. Buses leave from in front of the Sawyer County Courthouse on Hayward's Main street and are for skiers only. Skiers will start in pairs at approximately 12:30 p.m. Registration for this event is limited to 250 participants, click here for more information or a race application form.

Dine Out to Benefit the Hayward Community Food ShelfThe Steakhouse and Lodge located on Hwy 27 South, will donate a portion of the proceeds from their dining room receipts on Thursday, February 19th to the Hayward Community Food Shelf. In order for the food shelf to receive a donation, customers must mention that they are part of the HCFS benefit.

A complete Schedule of Events and additional event information can be found here.

Birkie Trail Flyover

Here's your chance to get a great aerial view of the American
Birkebeiner Trail, whether you're getting ready for your 20th Birkie or
your first! Thanks to the work of Todd Goold and his company Point
North Land Surveying and Mapping, Inc., Hayward, WI you can "flyover"
the Birkie Trail with this 3-D, colored video showing the trail with
its ups and downs, food stations, roads and K-marker locations. You'll
be able to recognize your favorite hills and descents. Click here to view this fun video!

This
is a work in progress and Todd will be fine tuning the flyover and
adding the Birkie Classic Trail over the next few months. Thanks again
to Todd and Point North Land for making this possible.

Birkie® Fever

I Won't Skip Another Birkie

By Peter Foley

We've all seen the Birkie skiers with the purple numbers. To me the
Birchleggings skiers seem to glide so easily over the snow. They have
a certain confidence about them; they know who they are as skiers no
matter what wave they are in. They don't have the panic about them
that we newer skiers have. All the years of skiing have smoothed out
their motions, given them experience to handle most situations and the
perspective to stay relaxed while the rest of us are pressing too hard,
moving in an uneconomical hurry.

I want to get enough
experience to be that kind of relaxed and confident skier, the skier
who is in full control. I want to ski enough Birkies to earn that
regal-looking number but more importantly I want to.......continue readingclick here.

Birkie Fever Stories Needed

We know you have a story to tell. Whether you are a skier, spectator or volunteer we want to hear from you. Birkie Fever is a phenomonen that touches many people in many different ways. Share your Birkie Fever with others. Send 300 word essays or short quotes and photos to media@birkie.com. Afraid you can't write? Don't let that stop you. We can take your words and weave them into a great Birkie Fever story.

From
the Barnebirkie to the Birkebeiner, this citizen's ski race features
something for everyone. Watch for 36th anniversary details in upcoming
issues of Carpe Skiem and online at www.birkie.com.

About the Birkie®

From
February 19-21, 2009, more than 7,000 fit, colorfully-clad skiers from
all walks of life and from around the world will descend upon the
Wisconsin northwoods to participate in the 36th anniversary American
Birkebeiner, a cross-country ski race that weaves more than 50
kilometers (30 miles) along a hilly, heavily wooded trail from the
Telemark Resort near Cable to the finish line on Main Street in
downtown Hayward.

For
some, it's serious business. The Birkebeiner is part of the
Worldloppet, a circuit of 15 Nordic ski races held on four continents.
The race attracts a top cadre of professional racers from 19 countries,
including past and present Olympians and those competing in the
International Ski Federation standings.

For
many hundreds of others, though, it's an annual celebration of personal
endurance and outdoor enthusiasm. Since its inception in 1973, 'The
Birkie' has grown into the largest cross country ski marathon in the
nation. While pros may complete the course in about two hours, legions
of weekend warriors soldier on in triple that time. Citizen skiers can
compete in the full race or sign up for 23 kilometer Kortelopet or one
of our many other events.

You
don't even have to click into skis to join in on the party. An
estimated 15,000 to 20,000 spectators line many portions of the route,
and it seems all of Hayward is there cheering at the finish line.
Equipment demos, citizen sprints, family fun races/tours and other
events round out the weekend.